1888 New York Giants Joseph Hall Team Cabinet (Six Hall of Famers)

Extremely rare Joseph Hall team cabinet photograph (4.25 x 6.5 inches) featuring the most dominating team of the era, the New York Giants of the National League. The Giants were league champions in both 1888 and 1889. This powerhouse team included an incredible six Hall of Famers, more than any other team of the era: Tim Keefe, Roger Connor, John Montgomery Ward, Buck Ewing, Jim O'Rourke, and Mickey Welch. Joseph Hall team cabinets have long been revered by collectors as among the most highly prized of all nineteenth-century cabinet issues, and are universally regarded as the premier team cabinet card series of the era. In this striking and unusual photo by legendary photographer Joseph Hall, the preeminent baseball photographer of the late 1880s, the World Champion New York Giants are posed outside, in front of the stadium grandstand. The photo is taken from a slight side angle, as opposed to directly in front, with all players looking to their right rather than looking forward toward the camera. This is the only nineteenth-century team photo we have seen in this unusual style. It is likely that two cameras were set up at the same time and this shot was taken when the players were posing for the second camera. Players are identified along the base of the mount. This is an amazing card in all respects. The photograph is perfectly crisp and clean. The contrast and clarity of the photograph are exceptional. Every detail is visible, from the style of the seats in the grandstands of the background to the spikes on the bottom of players' shoes. The corners of the mount are naturally rounded as made by Joseph Hall; there is just a hint of corner wear. The extreme rarity of the Giants among Joseph Hall team cabinets (we believe that fewer than five examples are known), the prominence of the Giants team, the inclusion of so many Hall of Famers, and the exceptional image quality and condition of this example, all combine to make this card one of the best of all nineteenth-century team cards. This is an extraordinary example of one of the key teams of the day, including six Hall of Famers, from the Joseph Hall team cabinet series. Excellent condition. Reserve $2,500. Estimate $5,000/$10,000.SOLD FOR $8,120.00

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